Facility modem-to-modem application

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a 900 modem to modem application using the AT&amp;T MultiQuest® Vari-A-Bill® feature designed in an effort to enhance an existing “charge free” medical credentials verification service. In accordance with the present invention, the calling party is simply required to dial a 1-900-NXX-XXXX telephone number from their computer terminal, whereby they are prompted to select the desired service(s) from a menu, and based on their menu selection(s), the appropriate charge(s) will be billed to the calling party&#39;s telephone bill. This novel invention allows the general public, hospitals and other institutions to quickly and efficiently obtain medical credential information from the convenience of their own computers.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to 800 and 900 number programsand more particularly to a pay-per-call modem-to-modem application witha variable rate billing structure.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Telecommunications networks presently offer a number of differentservices to their subscribers. Such services (and their features)include, for example, 800 service (automatic call distribution (ACD),call queuing, interactive announcements, digit collection, etc.),virtual private networks (abbreviated dialing, authorization codes,caller privileges, etc.) and plain old telephone service (call waiting,call forwarding, automatic call back, etc.).

[0003] Currently, a switch in a telecommunications network processes atelephone call in accord with the services associated with only one ofthe parties involved in the telephone call. For example, if a calledparty is a subscriber of a particular service, e.g., an 800 service,then the switch processes the call in accordance with that servicewithout considering the telephone services subscribed to by the callingparty.

[0004] The value-added services (e.g., 700 number, 800 number and 900number services) are designed for mass calling to a service provider(“sponsor”) number wherein the calling party generally pays for thecall. The 900 number services (e.g., DIAL-IT® 900-service offered byAT&T) allow sponsors to offer a variety of value-added telecommunicationservices (Dial-A-Prayer, Televoting, etc.), to their clientele (“callingparty”) for which additional charges are assessed. To access theservice, the calling party dials, illustratively, a 1-900-NXX-XXXXnumber and is routed to a Carrier Switch Network (“CSN”) MassAnnouncement System (“MAS”) where the calling party listens to thesponsor's prerecorded announcement. At present, the sponsors select therate callers will pay for the service when the 900 number is assigned bythe CSN.

[0005] The 900 number and the rate selected by a sponsor are stored in atable in a CSN billing system. When a call is made to a sponsor's 900number, the central office switch in the Local Exchange Company (“LEC”)makes a call record including the calling and called party of each call.These call records are transported periodically (typically every month)from the LEC to the CSN, and rated using the appropriate sponsor's ratetable. This rating process involves a table look-up process to determineeach calling party's charge for a call to a particular sponsor's number.The resulting calling party charge record is then returned to the LECwhich includes the charges as part of the calling party's monthlytelephone bill.

[0006] In accordance with billing methods and apparatus of the priorart, the calling party is billed for charges incurred during a call madeover a communication network to a sponsor location (equivalentlyreferred to herein as called party) by: 1) establishing an IntegratedServices Digital Network (“ISDN”) call connection between the networkand the called party location; 2) the network transmitting the caller'sidentification number to the called location, over that same ISDNconnection; and 3) the network receiving from the called location, againover that same ISDN connection, billing information specifying chargesincurred by the calling party during the call.

[0007] This arrangement provides the sponsor with more flexibility inbilling callers for a sponsor's value-added services. Billingflexibility is achieved in accordance with the prior art by creating aseparate billing record for each call using sponsor-provided callbilling parameters which can be updated during the call by the sponsor.Desirably, determining sponsor charges and creating a billing record ona call-by-call basis eliminates the need for the table look-up procedurerequired by other call billing methods.

[0008] Another billing arrangement known to applicants which also solvesthe previously-described problems is described in the allowed patentapplication of I. Benyacar, et al., Ser. No. 509,662 filed on Apr. 16,1990, and entitled “Method and Apparatus for the Billing of Value-AddedCommunication Calls.” The Benyacar application, however, solves theseproblems by enabling the called-party location to access the network'soperations support system (DSD-NCP 180 of FIG. 1) substantially in realtime to specify call rating data and other associated call ratemodifiers. In Benyacar, call rating information is sent to the network'soperations support system via a separate connection which is differentfrom the calling-to-called-party location connection, whereas, accordingto other methods, call billing information is sent to the network'sbilling recording toll switch (e.g., the terminating toll switch)(TTS/SN 160 of FIG. 1) using the same calling-to-called-party locationconnection.

[0009] Also described in accordance with various features of the priorart, caller charges may be specified as call billing parameters whichmay be changed in real time during the call and which may vary dependingon the call type, time-of-day, geographic region, etc. These calledparty or sponsor-specified caller charges are then incorporated into thestandard Automated Message Accounting (“AMA”) record generated by theCSN for each call and sent to a network billing system which processesthe sponsor-specified caller charges for inclusion in the network billsent to the customer.

[0010] New CSN services now provide the sponsor more flexibility indefining their services by routing the value-added calls to asponsor-selected location. One such service is the MultiQuest®telecommunications service offered by AT&T.

[0011] AT&T has patented a technology that is referred to as MultiQuest®in U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,710. It is for use by 900/976 number serviceproviders at only those locations licensed and equipped to use AT&T'sISDN Primary Rate Interface. Vari-A-Bill®, a service of MultiQuest®, isan addition to conventional ISDN capabilities.

[0012] The Vari-A-Bill® system allows the licensee's equipment to signalprice changes to the AT&T network over a separate channel while a callto the 900-number is in progress. Five flexible options may beinvoked: 1) Free call, i.e., no charge for the entire call; 2) FlatCharge, i.e., the price of the call is fixed at a set fee; 3) New Rate,i.e., the per minute rate can be changed upward and downward; 4) Premiumcharge, i.e., this would be a flat charge added to the per minute rate;and 5) Premium credit, i.e., this refers to a flat amount to be deductedfrom the total price of the call (The total price would not go below$0).

[0013] Therefore, without ISDN or the teachings found in Benyacar, U.S.Pat. No. 5,003,584, the needed billing account information was only ableto be assembled from several disparate sources after the call wascompleted (too late to deny unbillable services).

[0014] These new services enable a sponsor to provide a greater varietyof value-added services which may now include interactive dialog betweenthe caller and the sponsor's agent. Moreover, there is a continuing needfor the CSN to add more flexible billing for these sponsor-providedvalue-added services.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0015] The present invention comprises a 900 modem-to-modem applicationusing the AT&T MultiQuest® Vari-A-Bill® feature designed in an effort toenhance an existing “charge free” medical credentials verificationservice. The new program allows the general public, hospitals and otherinstitutions a quick and efficient means of obtaining medical credentialinformation from the convenience of their own computer terminals.

[0016] The calling party is simply required to dial a 1-900-NXX-XXXXnumber (For example, 1-900-555-ASMB) from their computer terminal,wherein she is prompted to select the desired service(s) from a menu,and based on the menu selections), the appropriate charge(s) will appearon the calling party's telephone bill. Access to the program of thepresent invention would be available by contract only. In accordancewith the service agreement, the actual caller rates would vary accordingto the location of the calling party and the service desired. Examplesof services provided in accordance with the present invention include:initial credentialing at $50.00 per inquiry for in state callers and$75.00 per inquiry for out of state callers; recredentialing at $20.00per inquiry for in state callers and $35.00 per inquiry for out of statecallers; detailed verification at $15.00 per inquiry for in statecallers and $20.00 per inquiry for out of state callers; DEA ormalpractice information at $5.00 each for in state callers ($10.00 forboth DEA and malpractice information) and $7.00 each for out of statecallers ($14.00 for both DEA and malpractice information); and the BBSmessage center service (for example, ASMB message center) at $0.50 forin state callers and $1.00 for out of state callers.

[0017] The present invention will allow hospitals, other institutionsand individuals from around the country to access physicians' licensingand certification information directly from their own computers. Bydialing a 1-900-NXX-XXXX number via their computer's modem, a BBS allowsthe calling party to select the desired information and services from amenu. Note that the choice of services are available via contract only.Accordingly, depending on the information sought, the amount for eachservice may vary. Also, a different rate will be applied on the basis ofthe call's origin, i.e., the calling party's geographic location. The1-900 service allows for multiple charges on that same call, thusallowing the end user to access information on more than one physician.All charges will then appear on the caller's telephone bill.

[0018] Once the calling party places the 1-900 call from her computerterminal via modem, AT&T routes the call to a sponsor. In turn, byoutdialing through one of its switching facilities, the sponsor sendsthe call to the remote BBS (for example, to the computer maintained bythe service provider). At the same time, using a second modem to outdialto the remote BBS over a simulated data channel (“D-channel”),Vari-A-Bill® data, which is the specific amount to be charged to thecalling party's telephone bill, is sent. Also, for call association, thedata is attached to the line the caller dialed in on, and, during thecourse of the call, is sent to AT&T as a billing record.

[0019] To communicate with the remote BBS, the sponsor has in place asystem comprising: 1) a customized monitoring program; 2) a modem link,through which the provider sends the sponsor the billing information; 3)a D-channel telephone circuit dedicated to that modem link for allincoming 1-900 calls; and 4) one telephone circuit for each 1-900 callerconnected through the sponsor's switch to the remote BBS.

[0020] Other objects, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of the structure, will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description with reference tothe accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,reference is now made to the following drawings, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a telecommunicationssystem for use with the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a simplified rendition of services as accessed on theremote BBS maintained by the service provider;

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a sample provider's menu screen (for instate callersshowing a lower rate for services) prior to activation of the 900service where the service provider is Arkansas State Medical Board; and

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a sample provider's menu screen (for out-of-statecallers showing a higher rate for services) prior to activation of the900 service where the service provider is Arkansas State Medical Board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] The present invention comprises a 900 modem-to-modem applicationusing the AT&T MultiQuest® Vari-A-Bill® feature designed in an effort toenhance an existing “charge free” medical credentials verificationservice. The new program allows the general public, hospitals and otherinstitutions a quick and efficient means of obtaining medical credentialinformation at varied rates.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a computer-telephony system100 which is the backbone of the present invention. The preferredembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 allows callers toaccess medical credential information from their home or office computerterminal 110 via modem 112 connection.

[0028] In accordance with the present invention, the calling party issimply required to dial a 1-900-NXX-XXXX (for example, 1-900-555-ASMB)from her computer terminal 110. Once the end user places the 1-900 callvia modem, AT&T routes the call through ISDN center 120 to the sponsor'sswitch center 130. This sponsor's switch center 130 performs twofunctions. First, it forwards the calling party's call to the serviceprovider's computer 150. Second, it outdials to backend modem 152 at theservice provider's computer 150.

[0029] First, by outdialing through one of its switching facilities, thesponsor switch center 130 sends the call to the remote BBS whichprovides the end user with a menu of services as illustrated by the flowdiagram of FIG. 2., and in the application of the present invention,this is at the service provider's computer 150 maintained by the serviceprovider. In order to communicate with the remote BBS, the sponsor wouldhave in place a system comprising: 1) a customized monitoring program;2) a modem link, through which the service provider sends the sponsorthe billing information; 3) a telephone circuit dedicated to the modemlink (D-channel) for all incoming 1-900 calls; and 4) one telephonecircuit for each 1-900 caller connected through the sponsor's switchcenter 130 to the remote BBS. The calling party is connected to theservice provider's computer 150 via one of a plurality of front endmodems 140, and is provided with a menu of services as shown in FIG. 2.

[0030] The calling party then makes a selection from Main Menu 210,where the choices may comprise Initial Credentials, Temporary Permits,Verifications, Certification, Exit, etc. Next, the calling party isprompted to enter the name and/or license number of the physician whosecredentials are sought, as shown in menu 220. If the system has recordsof the physician requested, the calling party is again prompted, butwith menu 230 which provides the calling party with viewing options,such as Print Screen, View Next Screen, etc. Each menu also provides anescape function which allows the user to return to the Main Menu 210 atany time. For example, it may require the end user to press a certainkey, such as the asterisk (*)

[0031] On the other hand, if the physician is not in the system'srecords or a release has not been given to the hospital to permit themto give access to those records, then a screen is displayed with theappropriate message. For example, screen 240 of FIG. 2 may be displayedif no release was given. The calling party may then be prompted toreturn to Main Menu 210.

[0032] The process illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above may berepeated by the end user as many times as desired for as many physiciansdesired without having to log out and call again. Also, the billingsystem allows multiple requests to be billed all on the same bill.

[0033] The second function of sponsor switch center 130, which occurs atthe same time as the first function, allows the sponsor's switch center130, using a second modem 132, to outdial to the remote BBS, and sendVari-A-Bill® data, which is the specific amount to be charged to thecalling party's phone bill, over the simulated ISDN D-channel 122. Thissecond modem 132 also connects to backend modem 152 at the serviceprovider's computer 150. This serves as a status line 134 which informsthe sponsor when a caller makes a selection involving a new price. Thesponsor then sends the new Vari-A-Bill® rate information to AT&T ISDNcenter 120 via ISDN D-channel 122.

[0034] Furthermore, after the calling party selects the desiredservice(s) from the menu, and based on the menu selection(s), theappropriate charge(s) will later appear on their telephone bill. Sinceaccess to this program is available by contract only, the rates aredetermined by these agreements. Further, the actual caller rates varyaccording to the location of the calling party and the service(s)desired.

[0035] Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are sample menu screens which appear tothe calling party prior to activation of the 1-900 service. FIG. 3 showsinformation presented to in-state callers, while FIG. 4 showsinformation presented to out-of-state callers. These menu screenspresent the calling party with general information regarding theservice(s) provided, such as the address and phone number of the serviceprovider, and the rates of the various services (see screens 310, 320,410 and 420).

[0036] In accordance with the present invention, services may include:Initial Credentialing at $50.00 per inquiry for instate callers and$75.00 per inquiry for out-of-state callers; Recredentialing at $20.00per inquiry for in-state callers and $35.00 per inquiry for out-of-statecallers; Detailed Verification at $15.00 per inquiry for in-statecallers and $20.00 per inquiry for out-of-state callers; DEA ormalpractice information at $5.00 each for in-state callers ($10.00 forboth DEA and malpractice information) and $7.00 each for out-of-statecallers ($14.00 for both DEA and malpractice information); and a BBSmessage center service (for example, Arkansas State Medical Board) at$0.50 for in-state callers and $1.00 for out-of-state callers.

[0037] The application of the present invention will allow hospitals,other institutions and individuals from around the country to accessphysicians' licensing and certification information from theircomputers. By dialing 1-900-NXX-XXXX via their computer's modem, a BBSallows the calling party to select the desired information and servicesfrom a menu. Depending on the information sought, the amount for eachservice may vary. Furthermore, a different rate will be applied on thebasis of the call's origin, i.e. the caller's geographic location.

[0038] Also, the 1-900 service allows for multiple charges on that samecall, thus allowing the end user to access information on more than onephysician with all charges then appearing on the caller's telephonebill.

[0039] While the present invention has been described with reference toone or more preferred embodiments, such embodiments are merely exemplaryand are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustiveenumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention,therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, itwill be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes maybe made in such details without departing from the spirit and theprinciples of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A method of processing a call between calling and calledparties in a communications network comprising a network switch, whereinsaid network switch provides a plurality of different communicationsservices, and wherein said method comprises the steps of: originatingsaid call and associated call information at said network switch;receiving said call; identifying said associated call information at anetwork service processor for implementing a service associated withsaid communications network and providing said associated callinformation to said network service processor; and processing said callin response to said associated call information.
 2. A method ofprocessing a call according to claim 1, wherein said network switchforwards said call to a computer database and outdials to a modem atsaid computer database.
 3. A method of processing a call according toclaim 2, wherein said outdialing transmits said associated callinformation to said remote bulletin board service.
 4. A method ofprocessing a call according to claim 1, wherein said calling partyselects the desired service.
 5. A method of processing a call accordingto claim 4, wherein said calling party is billed for said service.
 6. Amethod of processing a call between calling and called parties in acommunications network comprising the steps of: placing a call; routingsaid call; a first outdialing of said call via a first modem through aswitching facility, wherein said first outdialing sends said call to aremote bulletin board service; and a second outdialing to said remotebulletin board service using a second modem, wherein said secondoutdialing via said second modem sends billing data into the telephonecircuit used by the calling party which sends said billing data to bestored in a billing record.
 7. A method of processing a call accordingto claim 6, wherein said call is originated at a computer.
 8. A methodof processing a call according to claim 6, wherein said calling partyselects the desired service.
 9. A method of processing a call accordingto claim 8, wherein said calling party is billed for said service. 10.An apparatus for a telecommunications system comprising: a terminal; afirst modem; a monitoring program associated with said terminal; asecond modem; a first telephone circuit connected to said first modemfor receiving incoming calls; and a plurality of additional telephonecircuits for connecting a plurality of said calling parties with aremote bulletin board service via a switch facility.
 11. An apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said second modem transmits billing data.12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said telecommunicationssystem further comprises a network switching facility.
 13. An apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said network switching facility connectssaid additional telephone circuits with said remote bulletin boardservice.
 14. A method of processing a call between calling and calledparties in a communications network comprising the steps of: placing acall via a first modem; routing said call through an Integrated ServicesDigital Network center to a local switch center; communicating said callwith a remote bulletin board service, said communicating comprising: acustomized monitoring program; a second modem for transmitting billingdata; a first telephone circuit connected to said first modem forreceiving incoming calls; and a plurality of telephone circuitsconnected to said local switch center and said remote bulletin boardservice.
 15. A method of processing a call according to claim 14,wherein said switch center forwards said call to a computer database andoutdials to said second modem at said computer database.
 16. A method ofprocessing a call according to claim 15, wherein said outdialingtransmits said associated call information to said remote bulletin boardservice.
 17. A method of processing a call according to claim 14,wherein said calling party selects the desired service.
 18. A method ofprocessing a call according to claim 17, wherein said calling party isbilled for said service.
 19. A method of processing a call betweencalling and called parties in a telecommunications network, said methodcomprising the steps of: originating said call and associated callinformation at a network switch, wherein said network switch provides aplurality of different communications services and associated features,and wherein said calling and called parties subscribe to saidcommunications services; receiving said call and said associated callinformation; identifying, as a function of said associated callinformation, a first and second network service processors operative forimplementing said first and second services, respectively, in saidnetwork and passing said associated call information to said first andsecond processors, such that said first and second processors cooperatewith one another to implement said communications services and saidassociated features within said telecommunications network on behalf ofsaid calling and called parties; and selecting, as a function of saidassociated call information, one of said first and second processors tocontrol the processing of said call.
 20. A method of processing a callaccording to claim 19, wherein said calling party selects the desiredservice.
 21. A method of processing a call according to claim 20,wherein said calling party is billed for said service.